Calee

The more people I meet, the more I love my sister. It's not that I don't love broadening my horizons through getting to know others, it's just that it makes me realize my sister is just that great.
My favorite aspect of our relationship is its simplicity. There's no deception, no psychological games, no competition. Basically, it lacks the pettiness that so easily makes itself welcome in any close relationship.
In short, it is what it is.
My second favorite part is our candidness. For instance, the other day when mom asked Sister J to define "diva," she replied, without hesitation, "Nikki Kocina." Then I told her she's an obnoxious child and we moved on from our squabble. No hard feelings. (By the way, that's the best you got, Sees?).
At the risk of sounding trite, our sisterhood is so real, honest, raw. You could say our sisterhood "just knows." (Shout out to those of you who caught the satire there).
In all seriousness, I love my sister. I love that I don't have to entertain her company. I love that I have a constant to lean on always. I love that we share a sense of humor that includes making fun of life and drinking Starbs. I love that she tells me to shut up when I have spent too long talking superfluously about boys and Nordstrom. All of this is because she holds me to a high standard. She keeps me on track. And she makes coming home for the Holidays that much more fun.

I love you Neurns, Sisty, Sees, Seester, Bean, Nurnies, Chessy, Chester Louise.

Lover of Light

Let's all be still. What? Let's be still.
Everyday I am surrounded by exhausted people. Friends, peers, neighbors. Everyone seems to be exhausted. And lately I've been wondering why. Hang on, I'm on to something.

We live in a time where we are taught that if we want something, we must make it happen. Everything is up to the individual. While I'm not dismissing the audacious spirit, I'm asking that we trust the process instead. How generic, right? I'll be more specific.

Everyone has that one thing he/she tries to cling to. It could be a certain season of life, a place, a person, or even the idea of another. Some use all their might to reach ahead to this coveted "thing," while others are bending backwards to reach for something in the past. Regardless of whether we are straining ahead or lingering behind, our weak arms need a break. So I want to propose the idea of holding on by letting go. In other words, when said "thing" out of reach, the best way to cling to its goodness is to let go. Let it go.

Otherwise, we are wasting valuable energy for nothing. Like Sisyphus, we exhaust ourselves to the point of chronic weariness without any progress. This can become detrimental because exhaustion breeds darkness, both in the literal sense (when we are tired we draw the curtains, close the blinds, and sleep in a dark bedroom) and figuratively speaking. And considering there is a time and place for everything, I don't think we were designed to live in constant darkness.

So be still and let it go. If the thought of that is too much to bear, consider this: if something is innately good (and I don't mean good as in "Oh, this bagel is good," but good in the purest and most spiritual light), then this "something" will show up again. And it will be the most undeniable, amazing gift. But if said "thing" never resurfaces, nor happens at all, then rest in the fact that it wasn't intended for you. I am rooted in the idea that relinquishing control and surrendering these outstretched arms will only bring clarity.

And meanwhile, rest in the present because this is how we can reenergize ourselves and thus, carry on.

This, my friends, is how we walk in light.

Yours Truly,
June.

(My attempt at being artsy)

(My artsy attempt gave me splinters)

(What June wore: Hat from J. Crew Factory//Dress from UO (old)//Sweater from Banana Republic (old)// Shoes from H&M similar to these)

Merely Detailed

Lately I've been thinking about details. And laurel trees.
But let's stick to "the dets" for now.
I feel that today we are just grasping for "big picture" views of life. We don't have time or energy for details. The big picture is often more available and on the surface. But details require engagement and thought. How dull, right?
I thought so. The truth is, though, that details are what give life its seasoning. Details sneakily turn leaves from green to gold. Details stop you in your tracks as you're leaving the grocery store and make you turn around to pick out a treat for your friend. Whom you miss. A lot. Details are when you pass someone you don't want to see but you offer them a smile anyway at the risk of looking stupid.
Details bring forth change, consideration, and boldness.
Because, without details, the forest still looks the same. The weekly grocery store visit is a mundane task. And passing THAT person is just another part of the day you don't want to face.
Details make all the difference.

Yours Truly,
June.

PS: This dress featured below is a concrete (albeit, shallow) example of how details can turn a basic concept into something unique.

PSPS: Photos c/o Laura Magnan. Check out her talented work here.

(Dress: By Maeve found at Anthropologie long ago; Shoes: Similar to these by Betsey Johnson; Sweater: J. Crew;)

We're Going to Be Friends

((Kimono dress: UO [really old but here is different one w/ lots of similarities &  love this one too]; Boots: "Ximon" wellies by Sam Edelman [discontinued his rain boots but still makes killer shoes]; Watch: "Stella Mini" by Fossil; Bracelets: Thrifted from Grandma June's closet; Sunglasses: Marc 61mm Vintage Inspired Oversized by Marc Jacobs)).

Jack White famously sings, "I can tell that we are going to be friends." Well, friends, over a year later we are back on this old blogspot homepage for a multitude of reasons on which I won't elaborate, but mainly just because it's the easiest to navigate for Yours Truly. And the easier the technical stuff is, the more time and energy I can spend on creativity and style, which is really why you're here, I'm sure.

So yes, we are going to be friends with this original home of ours. And it shall serve us well.

The other day sister Jay and I ventured out to Harlensdale Farm for a midday getaway. This trip was a particularly momentous one because I saw my favorite flower for the first time in real life. As shown above, we stumbled upon a bushel of poppies (which, for those of you have never been poppy-hunting, they are a rare find). When I spotted the unmistakably red-orange blob of flowers from a few yards away, I shrieked something like "EEP," dropped my stuff and ran towards them.

It seems trivial but it was one of those surreal moments when you realize Someone Greater runs this show called life. And it is a mystically beautiful show indeed.

Glad for it. Glad to be back.

Yours Truly,
June.